#Extended Reading

[cozycottagetarot]

How You'll Know They're The One

🌸 Notes:

This reading focuses on how you'll recognize that your person is "the one". I tried to think of different ways people influence our lives to create this layout and settled on the below.

💐 Reading Contents:

The Energy of Your Connection

The Signs You'll Recognise

The Role They'll Play In Your Life (Extended)

Who You'll Become (Extended)

A Major Shift That Will Happen (Extended)

A pile in this reading does touch base on mental health. Please note that it is not meant to act as or substitute professional help or advice of any kind. Also keep in mind that this reading is based off of current energies and can change as you progress on your individual journey through life. Finally, this reading is for entertainment purposes only, please take only what resonates be it some, all or none.

LINKS: Reading Masterlist | Dividers | Ko-Fi

Personal Readings: Classic | $10 and Under - OPEN

Pile 1

The Energy of Your Connection

Cards: Two of Wands, Page of Swords, Knight of Swords, Four of Sword, The World

Your connection with your person or who you’ll consider the one will make you feel like you finally know what fulfillment is. You’ll no longer feel the need to keep chasing 'something more' constantly. You’ll finally be able to see your achievements and the beauty in who you are, who you’ve become and all that you have done. Your connection will feel like finally you’ve got a chance to rest. It’s a restorative connection, one in which you can finally find a sense of peace. But while you won’t feel the need to keep chasing something more, there’s still an energy of expansion, but this time out of a place of curiosity for what life has to offer. It’ll be a connection that not only fuels new ideas, but also gives you the courage to pursue them. It’s a whole new world has been unlocked for you.

The Signs You’ll Recognize

Cards: The World rev, Five of Cups,m The Star, Eight of Pentacles, The Moon

You could feel like you have unfinished business with this person, even if you’ve only known each other for a short while. It could feel like you’re meant to be a part of each other’s story. They might be holding onto a past experience in which you can see their sorrow. It could also be that they feel stuck or have a tendency to self-sabotage. But don’t take that as someone who is destructive and risk ‘destroying’ you. This person is also hopeful about the future and work towards it, even if their path isn’t linear. They might brighten your world— when life seems bleak, they’re the light that helps you find your way again. They are someone who is dedicated to what they do and I heard dedicated to you as well. Whatever they do, you can see they put effort into it. You might also recognize them intuitively, like there’s this nudge or inner knowing that they’re the one. They may be intuitive themselves or they could be someone who is mysterious… not intentionally but they have that energy to them.

Thank you for reading! 🫶 Curious about the role they'll play in your life, the person you'll grow into after meeting them, and the major shift their presence will spark? 🌟 Dive deeper with the extended version of this post, available in my Ko-Fi Shop as a keepsake, downloadable 15-page PDF. Explore all three piles in full detail and uncover the clues await you!

Pile 2

This pile mentions themes of mental health/well-being and could nod to physical ailments as well (specifically in the extended version). It was very difficult to read and interpret the messages, so this pile requires additional discernment on your end. 🙏

The Energy of Your Connection

Cards: The Chariot, King of Pentacles, Ten of Pentacles rev, Two of Cups, Knight of Pentacles

You and your person or the one are a good match, but not without effort. When you're cooking or baking, and you try to mix a fat or oil-based ingredient with a water-based liquid, they tend to separate. But when you emulsify them, you create a smooth, cohesive mixture that lasts longer until more ingredients are added or you emulsify again. You and your person are a bit like that. At first, it might seem like you wouldn’t go together, but with a effort and the right additions to the relationship, you can make it work. You both have to figure out how to balance and flow with each other in order to move forward. You may not have the ideal, picture-perfect, lovey-dovey relationship, but what you do have is something reliable—a stable foundation that grows stronger when you build on it. The effort it takes, brings you into sync with one another. It may require constant work, but the willingness from both sides to put in that effort is what makes it work.

The Signs You’ll Recognize

Cards: The Chariot, Seven of Pentacles, Three of Cups, Eight of Swords, Ace of Cups

You two could start off as friends or focus on friendship in your relationship. They’ll be patient but also persistent in getting to know you. Even when something might come up that makes you think, "Oh, we’re opposites" they’ll look past that to get to know you at your core and what you value, not just surface-level interest. They’ll be willing to try things you’re into and support you through your highs and your lows. They’re someone who is very loving and compassionate, emotionally open. I think you’ll recognize them by how they make you and others feel like the center of attention. *Post reading edit: I think you'll also recognize them by how they support you and give you unconditional love. It might be difficult for people to get to know you but this person sticks around and patient waits for you to open up.

Thank you for reading! 🫶 Curious about the role they'll play in your life, the person you'll grow into after meeting them, and the major shift their presence will spark? 🌟 Dive deeper with the extended version of this post, available in my Ko-Fi Shop as a keepsake, downloadable 15-page PDF. Explore all three piles in full detail and uncover the clues await you!

Pile 3

The Energy of Your Connection

Cards: The Fool, The Hierophant, The High Priestess, Judgement, The Lovers

You and your person are very intuitive and can understand and connect with each other on a subconscious level. You two have the type of connection where you’re always learning from one another. You two could have similar values, shared beliefs or generally just have a similar mindset or view on life. Your connection with your person is one that has an element of playfulness to it too. You’ll find that you can always laugh and joke around with each other. There’s also a lot of curiosity towards each other and life together. It feels like you’ll both feel like the connection marks a new beginning in your lives. You two could also have soulmate energy which by my definition is the strong feeling that two people were meant to be together. This connection also gives you a sense of purpose whether it's individually or together. You two may also inspire each other, cultivate a deeper awareness of yourselves and hold each other accountable for your intentions and actions. It very much feels like shifting into your ‘best’ or ‘higher’ selves together.

The Signs You’ll Recognize

Cards: Nine of Swords, Eight of Pentacles, Ace of Swords, The Hierophant, The Empress

They could be prone to overthinking or generally worry a lot. They may also be someone who struggles to sleep at night. A scenario I’m getting is someone who starts spouting all these “what ifs” in the middle of the night and you just have to tell them to stop worrying and go to sleep because during the day they’re not like that at all. You’ll recognize them as someone who is such a hard worker. It doesn’t matter how repetitive or mundane the work may be, they’ll put in the effort. They’re someone who you can see they’ll be successful if they continue to put in the work at the rate they do. I don’t think they’re all hard work though. They know how to pause, give thanks for and enjoy what they’ve achieved and what exists around them in the present. They could also be someone who’s always got a new idea for a project or concept, or consuming new ideas and information. Once again, they share similar values, beliefs or mindsets to you. Finally your person or “the one” is very nurturing or creative.

Thank you for reading! 🫶 Curious about the role they'll play in your life, the person you'll grow into after meeting them, and the major shift their presence will spark? 🌟 Dive deeper with the extended version of this post, available in my Ko-Fi Shop as a keepsake, downloadable 15-page PDF. Explore all three piles in full detail and uncover the clues await you!

[ghasel]

Message From Your Guide - Pick A Card Reading

Hello everyone! I am back again with another pick a card, this time with a channeled message from your spirit guide!

There is also an extended version of this reading availbale on my ko-fi: you need to support the page to access to it, but a one time 1 euro donation is more than enough to let you get access!

After every pile I will link the respective extended!

Pile 1 (Mystical Forest Tarot)

the empress in reverse: you can let go a little bit, not always being ready to act, to “reign”, but taking off sometimes and doing something in which you can be carefree instead of always in control/responsible; it’s your right to (also) have a bit of fun

6 of swords: a balance that needs constant control is not a balanca; a balance is balanced without you needing to do anything; you probably are in a balanced situation, but you are still worried that if you’re not aware of everything,in control, on guard every seconds it’ll break down; try to understand what is the truth: if you are, indeed, in a balanced situation or if perhaps your intuition is trying to tell you something

the wheel of fortune in reverse: you are in a time of changing (moving maybe, but not necessarily) where you are not familiar yet with what will come; it’s very natural to be a bit confused in a situation like this, don’t blame yourself if you need a bit more time to adjust or a bit more rest because the period is a bit tiring, don’t minimize your issues and take care of them (and yourself)

Extended reading (singular on kofi): HERE

Extended reading (Patreon membership): HERE

Pile 2 (Tattoo Tarot)

4 of wands: yes, it’s becoming/going to be fine, a bright and blooming moment in which you can taste for a while these successes and stability before taking off to continue your growth and your path; it’s a very “spring is here” energy; things are falling into places and creating a beautiful composition (still, it’s one one step of the journey!)

3 of coins in reverse: either something is incoming that you don’t need to specifically work for (ex. a promotion you weren’t after) or the hard work you’ve done until now is/will finally give its fruits and now you receive the fruit of what you’ve done

8 of wands: something that used to block you/you from seeing something is slowly opening up and you can see what’s behind it; it could also be that you’re reaching your goals and you’re basically starting to see them become true/possible

Extended reading (singular on kofi): HERE

Extended reading (Patreon membership): HERE

Pile 3 (Familiars Tarot)

the emperor: know your worth while also not falling into arrogance (but I think that knowing your worth is the most difficult part for you); you can be sure of what you are able to do and what you think it’s right while also keeping an open mind/not falling into arrogance, but be aware that there’s always more to learn

king of wands in reverse: exactly like winter is leaving and letting spring come in, you are (or your guide advises you to) moving on from a reflection/still mode and are ready to go back into action; note: both stillness and action are important, you just need to know when to let go of one before it monopolizes your life

King of wands and knave of cups came out together!

knave of cups in reverse: you are out of your learning stage and you are now not a student/beginner anymore, but someone who has responsibilities or only responds to themselves (and has to take their own decisions); it’s your first step in the world on your own feet

Extended reading (singlular on ko-fi): HERE

Extended reading (Patreon membership): HERE

[gigileeuniverse]

The Power of Interactive Tarot Readings: A Guide to Getting Started and What Awaits.

Ever felt drawn to understanding life’s energies but didn’t know where to start? You’re not alone. Many seek to uncover life’s deeper meanings. Interactive tarot readings offer personal insight and spiritual growth. These readings are more than predictions. They mirror our subconscious, revealing deep tarot insights. Whether through an online tarot reading or a virtual tarot experience, they help…

[bovineblogger]

[llamahearted]

two people will go through similar things & learn to cope in different ways

print ♥︎ song

[oifaaa]

Just thinking about the whole Crime alley is jasons territory fanon you know the only bat that's allowed to enter is Jason thing and obvious it's very stupid but also it's just one alley like literally just the space beside the theatre and it got me thinking of that old post that said smth like "spiderman protects the whole of new york city daredevil protects a couple blocks of New York" yeah well Jason Todd protects one crime infested alleyway

[theophagie]

I thought I was losing it but no, kh1 Sora's fast swimming animation really does change after you've been to Atlantica. It's a small detail, but also a cute and smart one 🥺

[thebibliosphere]

Being in the Pennyworth fandom will have you googling shit like "How to fortify an umbrella against acid rain" to try and give a smidge of credibility to the storyline you're plotting.

Meanwhile, the official writers are just giving interviews like, "Yeah, the mad cultists who got turned into super weapons by a drug activated by a popular song sung by Alfred Pennyworth's pop star girlfriend survived the nuclear bomb that got dropped on London, so now there are these irradiated mutant cultists cannibals roaming the streets of London who go ballistic for 70s pop ballads. What do you mean, 'how did we plan to resolve that?'"

[casscainmainly]

am just curious but do you know where the cass loves reality tv comes from? i DO believe it wholeheartedly but can't for the life of me remember the origin

It comes from Batgirl (2000)!! Chuck Dixon actually introduces Cass watching trashy TV in Batgirl (2000) #30:

But I have no idea if this counts as reality TV since it's some kind of news broadcast, though Babs does describe it as 'junk'. Dylan Horrocks expands on this TV idea further in #51 by showing Cass picking up slang from there (she says "You bet ya sweetie patootie, baby!" and Babs asks where she got that from):

I actually just realised she never explicitly says reality TV here 😭😭. However, the idea of her loving reality TV generally stems from this moment, plus other ones throughout Horrocks' run. I think the leap from trashy news + Cass wanting to "talk... like normal people" support the idea that she's watching reality TV rather than just regular shows!

We finally get reality TV confirmation in Andersen Gabrych's run, from #65:

Look at her... she's literally having the time of her life. I didn't realise until this post how consistent her love for trashy TV actually was!! It's so fun to watch the progression - initially, she's watching it just to get news about crimes; then, she starts mimicking the phrases to talk 'normally'; finally, she's just watching it for pure joy and fun. Cass watching and loving reality TV you are so precious to me <333.

[bastardofharrenhal]

there's something to be said about the fact that the most sympathetic view we get of Cersei throughout the books comes from Catelyn (and Ned to an extent). They're on opposing sides of a continental war, Cersei is partly responsible for Ned's death and is now holding Sansa (and Arya as far as Catelyn knows) hostage, and still, right before the battle between Renly and Stannis, when Catelyn goes to pray, she wonders if Cersei prays to the same gods she does. She just realized that Bran learning of Cersei's and Jaime's affair is the reason he fell, and still finds it in herself to think that Cersei is a mother too, that no matter if her children came from Robert of Jaime, she still carried them and birthed them and fed them. Her hate for Cersei cannot be understated, and yet, in that sept, the moment when Catelyn thinks to herself that even Cersei, with her proud and cold and lovely features, would weep for her children too does more to humanize Cersei than any single appearance she had in Tyrion's, Jaime's or Sansa's chapters.

[cozycottagetarot]

The Next Chapter of Your Love Life 📚💖

🌹 Reading Notes

This reading is friendly to both singles and those already in a relationship. Some scenarios came through more strongly than others, so I ask that you remember to use your own discernment and interpretation when needed.

As always, this readings is primarily for entertainment purposes and not meant to replace professional advice or help of any kind! Take only what resonates be it some, all or none. 💖

LINKS: Reading Masterlist | Dividers | Ko-Fi | Patreon

Personal Readings: Classic | $10 and Under - OPEN | NEW READINGS ADDED!

PILE 1

The Overall Energy

Cards: The Moon, The Hierophant reversed, Queen of Swords rev

The next chapter of your love life involves reflection. It seems like you might not have been experiencing much luck in love or feel like you’re continuously hitting a wall due to the fact that you’re not doing what’s right for you. You might have been listening to and following the suggestions of those around you or online who you perceive as knowing more about finding the right relationship. The problem though is that it has led you to allow people into your life who disrespect your boundaries or you cutting people off too quickly. It could even be that you’re the one who’s ignoring your own boundaries in the name of stepping out of your comfort zone because you think it might help you find what you’re looking for. It could also be you not giving yourself a fair chance of finding love in whatever form you seek. That of course, is changing.

In this next chapter of your love life, you’re coming out of a slumber and turning to your inner self and intuition to guide you to whatever it is that you desire. You’re going to be exploring what feels natural to you in the realm of love & romance. I think you’re going to be realising that just because ‘people’ say love is supposed to look a certain way, doesn’t mean that that’s the way for you. The next chapter of your love life is all about finding a way to fulfil your desires. Not only in a way that feels aligned physically and emotionally but also aligns with what you value.

Who or What is Coming Your Way

Cards: Ten of Wands, Knight of Wands reversed, The Empress reversed, Queen of Wands, Seven of Swords

Your energy is so scattered, I wouldn’t be surprised if you’ve felt like you’re at your limit either. What’s coming your way primarily feels like a sense of realignment and re-connection to yourself. You’ve been pushing yourself and trying to do everything at once. During this next chapter of your love life, you’re intentionally making time to nurture yourself and pour into you. You’re going to be seizing opportunities to have fun and do things that make you feel more vibrant, alive, confident, beautiful, etc. By tapping into this energy that’s been neglected for too long, you’re reaching a new level of magnetism. You’re also becoming more honest, with yourself and others about what you want. I also think this will extend to other areas of your life. If you’ve been feeling blocked or like you're struggling to speak up in other matters, then the opportunity for that is coming your way as well.

This is the part where I try to convince you to join my Patreon for the extended sections—where we get into the hidden influences and the lingering impact it has on your love life… 👀 Or maybe if I mention that you’ll also get access to all my previous content for a limited time, that'd make it a little more tempting? Just putting it out there. 🤷‍♀️ No pressure... unless you’re curious. Then, you know where to find me. 💌

PILE 2

The Overall Energy

Cards: King of Cups, The Empress, Six of Cups

This next chapter in your love life revolves around your emotional maturity—how you carry yourself and how you use those qualities to invite love into your life. And I don’t mean love solely in the sense of relationships. It’s more about how you can create a life that you’re fully in love with. This quest to build a life you love feels like it will also bring healing to your inner child or past wounds. It seems like you may be entering a softer era as well—where you don’t chase, you attract, and you don’t dwell on things that aren’t going your way. Spring or Summer could be a significant time for you in this next chapter as well.

Who or What is Coming Your Way

Cards: Ace of Wands, Two of Cups, The Magician, Three of Wands, Eight of Swords reversed

There’s a possibility that who comes your way is either someone you’re familiar with or someone who appeals to a younger you’s ‘dream partner’. Whoever this person may be, old or new, there’s a lot of joy bubbling in this relationship/connection and an undeniable spark. This relationship/connection has a promising future but it’s important to remember that you are in control of turning that potential into something tangible. Making your everyday life into something you love, romanticizing it, embracing a softer lifestyle— whatever it is that calls to you, can indirectly aid you in seeing what you have with this person turn into something more. Allow yourself to let things happen.

This is the part where I try to convince you to join my Patreon for the extended sections—where we get into the hidden influences and the lingering impact it has on your love life… 👀 Or maybe if I mention that you’ll also get access to all my previous content for a limited time, that'd make it a little more tempting? Just putting it out there. 🤷‍♀️ No pressure... unless you’re curious. Then, you know where to find me. 💌

PILE 3

The Overall Energy

Cards: The Emperor reversed, Five of Cups, Queen of Coins, Three of Swords, Queen of Cups reversed

I never want to incite fear when you read my readings, so bear with me here. This next chapter of your love life doesn’t begin in the most wonderful of ways. Your heart is healing. Maybe you’ve gone through a breakup or you recognize that you’re on the cusp of one. Maybe it’s not that you and a partner have split, but rather the connection is unstable or feels stifling. Maybe it’s the system in which you’re struggling to navigate love. Maybe you’ve just poured into others for too long and are feeling the effects of having not given yourself the love you deserve for some time. Regardless of the source of your pain, it exists and you’re allowed to let it exist. But, while it is allowed to exist, you must turn to the things that help heal your heart, because the energy of the next chapter of your love life involves you remembering to don your crown.

Who or What is Coming Your Way

Cards: Two of Cups reversed, Wheel of Fortune, Temperance, The Hermit, Judgement

Someone is coming your way, but they are likely just a passing figure. Don’t let this discourage you, as it seems like you need to meet them. If it’s not another person you meet, then maybe it’s you reconnecting to yourself— maybe a part of you that you haven’t felt/been connected to in a long time. If it’s another person you meet, then the energy between you too may be there but not lasting. I do feel like this person will bring a sense of balance into your life or rather inspire you to get back into balance. They may remind you of who you once were or something you wanted and send you seeking answers from your past self as to what direction you’re supposed to take. If you’re someone who enjoys journaling, it’s possible the answer lies in a past journal. If you don’t meet someone, then it may seem like fate or coincidence guides you to explore the ideas of someone you were before. Regardless of the ‘how’— reconnecting with a part of yourself in order to heal is what comes your way.

This is the part where I try to convince you to join my Patreon for the extended sections—where we get into the hidden influences and the lingering impact it has on your love life… 👀 Or maybe if I mention that you’ll also get access to all my previous content for a limited time, that'd make it a little more tempting? Just putting it out there. 🤷‍♀️ No pressure... unless you’re curious. Then, you know where to find me. 💌

[ccccallsigns-au]

PUZZLE WEEK - CONCLUSION

[I WILL FINALLY ADMIT: YOU ALL ARE A LITTLE SMARTER THAN I THOUGHT. I SUPPOSE I HAVE TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING AS A REWARD FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK OTHER THAN MY SHALLOW CONGRATULATIONS....]

[AH! I'M SURE THERE IS SOMETHING PREVIOUSLY HIDDEN I CAN BRING FULLY TO LIGHT. THOSE OF YOU I AM PROUDEST OF HAVE SEEN THIS ALREADY.]

[THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.] [LEAVE ME ALONE NOW.]

[prettyflyshyguy]

Hey hey hey it's me again I'm here to talk about my favourite fucked up guy

OK. I'm sick, maybe slightly delirious because of it, but in honor of EP7 dropping tomorrow (and hopefully his backstory with it) I need to get my theory crafting out into the wild now so we can all check in tomorrow and see what changes/what I double down on.

During my viewing of E2 I made the comment: "Was he augmented without his consent?" and I'm willing to put money down that I'm right.

Before I dive into my extensive E1-6 Gurathin thoughts, theories and observational commentary, a quick housekeeping: This is 95% based off my personal observations of the show (just the released episodes, no outside source media), with the remaining 5% me looking at a small amount of other peoples meta thoughts and commentary - I haven't read the books yet and I plan to once S1 is wrapped up!

If you have thoughts and opinions on my thoughts and opinions, please feel free to chuck a comment on this post but PLEASE do not spoil the books or reference book Gurathin on this post - I'm enjoying the show being 100% an unknown to me and how it's unfolding, so I'm trying to just experience it that way so every new piece of information is an exciting revelation for me!!! I promise I'll read the books haha. This entire post is 100% show only Gurathin content, no book allowed.

Let's dive in. This'll be a long post, so all the meat is under the cut. I fucking love this guy so, so, so much. And I have a lot I wanna say about him.

INTRODUCTION:

When we first see him he's deeply uncomfortable in the dealership room and really doesn't want the team to get a secunit. All the body language and the way he looks at mensah screams that he thinks its a bad idea. He's asked to join the group communion and doesn't at first, but the gang pull him in which immediately shows they're used to his self isolating behaviour but they accept its a quirk and will nudge him when necessary. In a number of other scenes he's with the group but maintaining a distance when they're huddled, little things imply he's involved and definitely socially a part of the group but he also is at times more separate (dancing scene E1 he's clearly involved and a part of it and enjoying himself) vs E4 when they're trying to contact deltfall (everyone is huddled and touching each other and he's distinctly pacing behind them).

E1 also has a fun moment where Ratthi is painting the base and Gura comments "does this wash off?" which knowing he never grew up on preservation alliance, I thought that was a nice touch. I'm in this picture and I don't like it sorta character. Not so much a rules stickler but maybe a worry-er, someone who's conscious or concerned about things that others aren't as fussed by.

The hopper secret meeting scene - he's clearly cared for, the team talk to him and say his feelings are valid but they're not necessarily hearing him, and he's frustrated by it. He operates slightly differently to them and this clearly isolates him from certain group discussions. From day 1 he's uncomfortable about having a secunit on board, at all, and the second something weird happens he's immediately on the full scale defensive - whereas everyone else is more immediately forgiving, less concerned. The way he references how much he cares about his friends to MB during the Eye Contact scene emphasises how important their lives and their safety are to him.

Now he's obviously got some trauma, possibly relating to the company or a mix of things.

After the initial sandworm attack someone (I think it was Mensah from memory) comment's that "(he) has good reason not to trust the company."

After Bharadwaj has physically recovered from the sandworm attack, he accidentally scares her when he approaches her and apologises, saying "it's an old habit, being quiet." It's a quick line that I think carries a lot more weight than it initially seems to have.

He mentions having joined preservation alliance 6 years ago but we don't know where he was at prior. He's clearly not all about how presaux operate but he still feels at home with them and they deeply respect and love him in their own way, despite differences in perspective. He's valued with them. Despite this I firmly believe he deeply feels a sense of disconnection - with the crew, especially in how they treat MB as more of a person at first (pre reveal) and with himself. Bear with me, I'll explain as I go.

He's insistent on the depersonalisation of their secunit - reminding the team that it's not a person, it's not a man or a human, it's an it in the sense that it's a tool, an object, and serves a function the same way any other piece of technology they use does. And it runs the risk of not working properly. Machines aren't supposed to think or feel, they're supposed to execute a task. It being controlled by the company leaves them with a lack of agency over this thing that's highly dangerous, that's supposed to protect them. He seems incredibly, personally, fearfull - directly telling Mensah at one point about how secunits "don't go through things!" and then commenting on what, in his mind, it is that they do. Kill things. Maim things. The language use here is broad - their job is to kill things. Their job is to maim things. Perhaps he's simply referring to things like aggressive fauna. Maybe he's referring to something else.

We know he doesn't know much about how secunits specifically work (he tells us this directly in E2), but we also as an audience don't know how much he knows about constructs, and AI in general (in this fictional setting). He didn't know secunit's have faces. The whole team object to the idea of a machine that seemingly could have some form of 'autonomy' being shackled by something like the governor module - they talk about this in the early eps, but it feels like they don't quite understand the entire picture at the same time - and neither does Gurathin. None of them quite realise what a construct is, how it operates, and the gravity of is existence and circumstance. When MB reveals its face, this starts to sink in with them. Gura's no exception here.

Let's move onto his RELATIONSHIPS.

MENSAH:

He obviously deeply cares about the crew (eye contact ep - I firmly believe when he threatened MB he didn't just mean Mensah when he said "I care about my friends" - he goes and holds Bharadwaj's hand when she wakes up- the one thing Medbay couldn't do was human connection)

It's strongly established that he really meant it with his whole chest when he said "I trust you" referring to the presaux team. But it's also clear in his behaviour that he cares about Mensah more.

Let's talk about the elephant in the room first - the pillow scene.

Not to defend him sneaking into her room - but I've seen a few takes on this scene that just paint him with a brush as being A Creep(tm) with no further consideration, and I don't think this is fair to his character. The act of him sneaking in, and then comforting himself with her pillow (MB is an unreliable narrator. I don't know if he was sniffing it, or just embracing it, and frankly the details don't matter - it cuts right as he starts to appear to cry) - the act of doing whatever it was, was creepy, and innapropriate boundary crossing. Absolutely. However - everyone of the humans in the presaux team have some kind of issue or problem with their behavior.

None of these people is without significant character fault.

So while his behaviour in this one scene was weird, I feel it speaks volumes about something unrequitted between him and Mensah, and his inability to express this to her. He deeply desires connection, but can't bring himself to bring it up.

He attempts to apologise to her after he insists she doesn't take the secunit with her on a trip, he feels intense guilt over that decision and his insistency impacting her safety in E2. He's conflicted about it because he genuinely is concerned it's a danger to the crew, but he deeply cares for and respects her and her almost getting seriously hurt absolutely terriffied him. Her subsequent blowing off of him - "I just need a shower.", rejecting his attempt at comfort, closeness and connection when she physically closes the door (and metaphorically closes a door) in his face - she likely has no idea how much of a mental sledgehammer it is to him.

She has every right to want and to ask for space - but it's this critical miscommunication (or lack of communication) between them that is clearly a long running and on-going thing.

In E5 it's also very clear he's cut up when Mensah tells him Pin-Lee is the 2nd in charge if anything goes wrong - he accepts it because he respects her but you can tell he's hurt by it.

They've been long time friends, I'm going to guess their friendship pre-dates him joining Pres Alliance based on how he brings it up in E2, and maybe there's an imbalance of how each other views their relationship, in their own heads. Again: emphasis on miscommunication, something unrequited because it's left unspoken, maybe there's that classic fear of "I don't wanna fuck this all up by being honest" - they have a good thing going and maybe he doesn't wanna ruin it. He briefly looks at the photo of her family with fondness (going off memory here, correct me if I'm wrong)

Just to clarify: I think at times his behavior is:

-definitively creepy in action (pillow)

-occasionally miss-read as creepy, especially when viewed through MB's unreliable narration and personal bias (he's just weird and different sometimes, much like many normal people are)

-he's not a Creep, but the pillow scene was inappropriate/a bit creepy

Ironic for MB to call him a Creep when it can access full security feeds and chose to brain blast him with his coworkers going at it - a great shift in framing because to MB it doesn't care/views the voyeurism differently because its a construct and security is its job (not to mention its personal distaste/lack of interest in copulation as it were)

but that's really the joke of it all, ain't it!

Slight tangent aside, let's move onto his other pivotal relationship in the show.

MURDERBOT (AND HOW GURATHIN'S NOT ENTIRELY HUMAN HIMSELF):

Not-fully-human Human and partially-human NonHuman. Name a more iconic duo. I'll wait.

So far, we don't know much about his augments and how he feels about them, or how anyone else feels about them. It all seems very matter of fact and straight forward. MB just describes the augments as 'fancy' in a sarcastic tone (I have more to say on MB's thoughts on augments however), so this could imply augmentation is a rarity or something reserved. He's immediately othered by MB's introductions of the crew as being the only augmented human.

It's all very pragmatic and function based. But it inevitably means he can do things no one else can, and the way he interacts with the world and tech is different to the other members of presaux. Having something robotic sticking out of your neck also immediately signposts yourself but that's an entire other can of worms (Shy what's with you and mechanical components in peoples necks huh?? HUH???)

In E1 he's abrasive towards MB after the face reveal and is frustrated, he's harsh and insistive - very rudely and firmly telling it that it can't leave the room yet for instance. However in E2 he has a different tone when he says "SecUnit can you please come and see me."

Yeah it's a real human thing to say, but it's a useless platitude to a robot that's only there to obey commands, right? This feels like the first subtle shift to me. It felt like a choice.

The Eye Contact scene - let's unpack it.

Gurathin "It's not a person its a tool" asks it politely to visit him, does a very uncomfortable (failed) dramatic chair spin, insists it sits on a chair, and then asks it a very personal question.

"I guess I don't know much about SecUnits.

What's it like, to be you?"

Rent free inside my head, chat.

Anyway - him asking for it to unmask itself - he knows what it looks like, he's got the video feed to look back at, but he wants to face it like a person would. Sitting also puts them both at eye level. It's a humanising thing. Suddenly, maybe, it's harder for Gura to separate it as a tool as much as he could before. Anthropomorphizing is something humans are already very good at. You put a real flesh and blood face on something? Oh No. Oh Boy.

The way he asks it "what's it like to be you?" felt really, really raw and genuine. It didn't feel like hate, or resentment, it felt like genuine curiosity and a desire for connection.

MB responds in kind - and it's such a beautifully short lived moment. But Gurathin is clearly conflicted in his position. He came in ready, and SWINGING, and now he has to reconcile with something he was thoroughly unprepared for.

He's testing the water when he insists on eye contact and is likely suspicious because MB doesn't seem to be acting how a secunit was likely pitched to him off-screen, and the way MB clearly is reluctant adds to this. With future episode context I think Gurathin clocked that there was something deeply wrong very early, but he was trying to genuinely suss out if it was a threat or not. He's not an idiot, he saw how it helped the crew, it's not done anything that's directly put the team in danger. But it's still wrong.

Later in the conversation he opens up about how differently Pres Alliance treat AI and constructs, compared to the corporation rim. He follows this up with "I don't know why I'm telling you this."

It's played off as a joke in relation to MB's inner monologue - but I genuinely think part of him was once again fishing for some kind of connection.

"Yeah I know. It's... weird to think about."

For Gurathin, he's not entirely human. His augments make him less human, they form a point of detachment.

Murderbot is not human, but it's behaviour seems slightly more human than what Gurathin expects of it.

Not to mention the myriad of small behavioural traits they share in common - but neither seem to have consciously recognised or clocked in each other yet.

My point being: the entire eye contact interrogation was as much Gurathin reaching for a connection as it was a warning and cautious appeal to reason and a hopeful connection point and it's all coming from a place of deep internal conflict. He's warmed up to it slightly now, part of him seeks something. If he was that concerned about it, he wouldn't have invited it into a room with him in private where he was vulnerable. He's of course unaware of how dangerous MB is, but if he really felt like he couldn't trust it to not kill him, he wouldn't have engaged with it all in that way I feel.

"If a secunit was malfunctioning in any way, it would be extremely dangerous for anyone involved--"

Gurathin looks intensely and deeply into it's face as he says "AND the secunit!"

This feels like a very direct personal appeal to a sense of self preservation. He's starting to pick up that this thing isn't just a normal robot. It doesn't just execute a task with no thought process. It does think and feel. And part of him is drawn to that fact.

All this is to say, I feel like this strongly signals to him being augmented against his will.

MB is a victim of circumstance in a lot of ways - it never asked to be created, it never asked to be sentient and it certainly never agreed to become an effective slave. I think Gurathin recognises this, initially, and is drawn to this fact because a part of him perhaps recognises it within himself (not consciouslly)

Now this all might be a huge projection - I'm writing a story and one of the characters, O'Byrne, is not-quite-human anymore after having something change her irreparably too and it's tech related.

But I really do feel like there's something to this. It'd make a lot of sense with Gurathin's deep comfortability with the company, his clear confliction around wanting to connect with MB but struggling to and being unsure of his feelings towards it.

I really loved episode 6 - so let's quickly talk about that before we wrap up.

MURDERBOT, UNMASKED:

I've avoided as many future episode clips as I can, but in one of the trailers I watched there's a line where Gurathin reveals to the crew that it calls itself Murderbot (self assigned name)

NOTABLY - he has not revealed this information to the crew in E6. Isn't that funny. Isn't that interesting.

He jacks into this thing, has a very intimate look inside it's head and memories, discloses a bunch of information to Bharadwaj but clearly doesn't disclose everything. During the E6 interrogation it's obvious Gurathin feels the most in control he's ever been - he's strutting around with full confidence, he's being purposefully antagonistic despite MB's attempts at showing it genuinely is on the teams side, and Gurathin believes its immobilised and that he has full power.

We all know that he had absolutely no power, at all, however.

MB at any point in time could have gotten out of that chair. It chose when to very carefully.

Given Gurathin believed he was in full control - why didn't he disclose more information about what he found in MB's head?

It would have certainly helped him argue his case. It certainly was a choice to not bring it up.

Again I think this comes down to his internal conflict. There are two wolves inside of you and one hates and distrusts the company and anything associated and one wants to believe the fucked up secunit might actually, genuinely, be something you can come to trust.

I think he's a deeply conflicted person seeking connection while feeling disconnected, and that he never had a choice in getting augments installed in him but he's dealing with it and has just accepted his lot in life - and being around people who love, respect and embrace him has helped with this, but he's still lacking something - and he's tip toeing around what that is in his attempts at reaching out to Mensah, and MB (and through these relationships he's perhaps seeking different things to help him feel more complete and less alone in a number of different ways.)

Anyway. I love him very dearly, Dastmalchian has done an absolutely killer performance in the role and I'm frothing at the mouth over what we're about to find out this coming ep drop.

Anyway - I hope this all makes sense. I've tried to proofread, but my brain is kind of fried from the seasonal flu right now (I'll be fine. Its just the middle of winter in australia and it's been really fucking cold where I live) - I hope I havent talked myself in circles. I'm really excited to come back to this when more information on his character has dropped in-episodes!

And if I'm wrong on my theory. Well. Guess I gotta just. Post something to Ao3 about it.

[thefastestclockintheuniverse]

Action portraits from Act 5 Act 1.

[why-the-heck-not]

reorganizing my desk as if that’s the missing piece on getting the assignments done quicker

[bruhstation]

happy new year 2025, everyone! here's to a good year :-)

[ 2023 version | 2024 version ]